Dancing Chipmunks

“I know dance is good medicine for me at these times. Especially at these times.” – Cate Laurier

I started my dance “career” as a dancing chipmunk in an elementary school production of The Sound of Music. That was because I didn’t get selected for the chorus, which is what I’d really craved.

After recovering from the disappointment, I found myself backstage in a precocious moment of Zen clarity. I chose to dive in fully.“Well gosh darn, I’ll be the best dancing chipmunk I can possibly be”.

I danced my heart out. It was exhilarating.

What I learned in my 15 seconds of fame is the power of presence. It’s a lesson I find myself needing to return to time and time again.

Dance is one of the places I feel most at home. Dance is a way to be with myself. It’s a powerful path to connect and transform. Putting on a high energy song can instantly change my mood. Sometimes astonishingly.

But not always. Dance is also where I meet some of my “gnarly knots”. I can’t always look to dance as an escape or instant energy boost or way to transcend troubles. It’s not always about flying high. Sometimes, vexingly, it’s a place to meet myself in all my messiness. And it can feel very tempting to run away from that!

I know dance is good medicine for me at these times. Especially at these times. I don’t always take it.

I love exhilaration as much as anyone. But sometimes I need to dive deep into the turbulent river or stagnant waters.

Trust the power of transformation.

The invitation to being present in dance is a funny paradox. Dance with where I’m at, no matter where I’m at. AND trust the power of transformation. But don’t DEMAND it.